Electrical wires are usually made of aluminum or copper. These conductive materials are insulated. These things bring electricity to different parts of the house. When people are installing new wires, choosing a suitable cable or wire is half the battle.
On the contrary, when checking old threads in a house, identifying the kind of wire can tell individuals a lot about the circuit these wires belong to – for instance, if they open their junction box and need to find out which cables go where. Wiring for new or modern houses is relatively standard. Most homes built after the 1960s have similar types of wire systems.
New installations require new wiring that conforms to the state building codes. In this article, we will take a closer look at different kinds of electrical wires for residential properties to choose, the right option to complete electrical projects safely and accurately.
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Wiring tech
It helps to know and understand a couple of basic terms used to describe this process. An electrical cable is a kind of conductor. It is a material that conducts or transfers electricity. In the case of household wiring systems, conductors are usually aluminum, copper, or copper-sheathed aluminum. It is either a stranded cable or a metal conductor.
Most systems in residential properties are insulated. It means that they are wrapped in non-conducted plastic coatings. One exception is the ground wiring system. These things are usually solid copper and are insulated with sheathing or bear and uninsulated.
Warning
A lot of larger cables in houses carry 120- to 240-volt circuits, also known as line voltage. These things are very dangerous to touch. There are also cables in houses with lesser amounts of current considered lower voltage. These things are less dangerous. Some voltages carried are too low, so there is no chance of shock. But until homeowners know exactly what type of cables they are dealing with, it is best to treat them as dangerous.
How to calculate voltage? Check out https://www.dummies.com/article/technology/electronics/general-electronics/how-to-calculate-voltage-across-a-component-141440/ for details.
Non-metallic
It is best used inside the house and in dry locations. It is also known as ROMEX. Non-metallic cable is a kind of wiring designed for interior use and in dry areas. It is the most common kind of wiring used in modern houses. It consists of at least two individual cables wrapped inside a plastic protective sheath.
It usually contains more than one current-carrying or hot wires, neutral ones, and ground flexes. These conductors are adequately insulated in black (hot) and white (neutral) for installation. Most non-metallic wires have a flat tubular shape and can run invisibly through the house’s wall, ceiling, or floor cavities.
Underground Feeder
These underground wires are best used for outdoor fixtures
An underground Feeder or UF is a kind of non-metallic cable made for wet locations, as well as direct burning below ground. It is usually used for supplying electricity to outdoor fixtures like lamp posts or outside lights. Like standard non-metallic wires, Underground Feeders contain insulated neutral and hot cables, plus bare copper ground flexes.
But while plastic wraps separate sheathings on non-metallic flexes, Underground Feeder sheathings are solid plastics that surround every wire. These kinds of electrical flexes are also more expensive than non-metallic ones because it has durable insulations.
Underground Feeders are customarily sold with gray sheathings. Underground Feeders are also used by professionals or firms like Wrightstone Electric for big circuit wiring systems, and it carries a dangerous and huge amount of voltage when circuits are turned on.
Choosing the right kind of electrical wire for your needs
Whether property owners are replacing the old wiring in their house or adding new electrical systems, it is very important to choose the right kind. Property owners should always choose electric wires that are specified for the purpose they intend to use these things.
For instance, in wet, outdoor locations, Underground Feeders should always be chosen to make sure that electrical systems protect from various elements. The volts and amperage of every wire should also be considered. Cables should be matched to the right needs of each project. If people are not sure which kind of flexes they need, it is helpful to check with professional electricians before installing any kind of electrical lines in their house.
